Seat pain
 

Evening all.

I'm new here but have a question to ask.

I have a 2010 tenere and have been riding here for most of this week in the sun. She is new to me so only 400 miles in.

But the pain from the seat is getting to be a serious problem. Ten mins causes real butt pain.

I've looked at airhawk...might work but they look naff...and I don't have �400 to spend on a touratech seat.

Mike

Options
 

So you don't want to buy a new seat and you don't want an Airhawk...

Not many options left for you. Some have tried wearing padded bicycle shorts under their riding gear. Others swear by the wooden beadseats or sheepskin pads. Browse through the USA "Ironbutt" rally riders info. they may have some new ideas.

In reality, new seat foam or a cushion are the easiest fixes to your problem.

You can't see it when you're sitting on it.

Problems like this can be caused by many things, posture, seat to seat interface (your ass doesn't match the seat), wrong underwear, seams in the wrong places, your bike pants, not moving about , the list is almost endless.

a �400 seat may make no difference at all.

First thing, eliminate the free/cheap stuff.

Check your boxers, get a pair of breathable (coolmax, you can get them in Asda, Tesco's Sainsburys) boxer/pants/thong, whatever your prefference and try that. I once bought a set of 'motorcycle boxers' that had no seams at all, pretty rubbish for normal wear, but really made a difference on long rides (I'm talking 500-600 miles a day)

Check your posture, how are you sitting, are the bars setup correctly for you? Are your knees bent too far, not enough? Are you relaxed?

What about your bike pants? do they breath? are there any raised seams ? to tight?

Check the seat against another, is there a difference, too had, lumpy too soft, has it been modified previously ?

Don't like AirHawk, try a sheep, Lambland will send you a sheepskin cover (they are very plush, nothing like sheepskin you find in normal shops) for �17. I've just bought the missus one (for the back of the Tiger) and it's very comfortable to sit on a chair with - no idea about a bike.

How about getting your seat recut ? get a gel insert put in it ?

:006: Welcome to XT660.com Mike

I wouldn't knock it until you've tried it - they really are VERY effective. Depends on which is more important to you - aesthetics or your arse? ;)

As GULG says, you can't see it when you're on it and they can be removed in a trice. The other good thing about Airhawks is they are adjustable - on/off, more air/less air. All the other options are a bit of a gamble; once you buy them you're stuck with them, and if you don't get on with them, you're stuffed!

FYI: OTR (Kahedo) seats are exactly the same as Touratech ones and they cheaper (especially if you send your old seat in exchange). Still expensive though IMO.

http://www.off-the-road.de/en/XT-660...-XT-660-Z.html

Airhawk
 

Hi

Thanks for all your replies.

What size airhawk is best for a tenere 660.
Mike

The "Cruiser Small" fits the Tenere seat perfectly.

Thanks

I've done 51,000 miles with an Airhawk under my ass. The most I've managed in a day was 650m on the Z. I'm not saying it was comfort all the way but there is no way I could have done it without it. You can also take it with you if you change bikes.

I have ordered an airhawk.

Should be here next week so I will let you all know how I get on.

Mike

Mike,

Can you give me an update, did the Airhawk work?

I love my new 660Z.....apart from the seat.

Same problem as you, within 15 minutes it's uncomfortable and just gets worse. I have even tried stretching and sitting partially on the rear seat.

The only way I can describe it is like the old tyre swings we had as a kid. Once your sitting in/on it there's only one position and you just slide back into the same trough.

So, looks like I might have to get the Touratech catalogue.

i use a self inflating air pillow... as its big, jist let enough air in it to give you a cushion between you an the seat...is it comfortable.....YES,, how much was it..a tenner out a campin shop.... wi the other 390 fae yer airhawk..ye could go on holiday:hahaha[1]:

this camping shop air seat.....how do you fasten this to the seat???

An update
 

I know this subject is well worn on here but it's worth carrying on about it.

So i bought an Airhawk...the small cruiser.

The first thing that made me laugh was the straps...they are bra straps...black bra straps.....i relly do mean that.

Anyway i fitted it and spent a week trying to get the right amount of air in it. What i found was that to have enough air in it to make it comfy on a ride or any distance would mean it had far too much air in it around town.

I am not knocking the airhawk but i don't think it is a good fit for the tall narrow Tenere seat. I am 6ft tall and have fitted a 125mm lowering kit. But when in traffic i find that when i put my foot down my backside never really leaves the seat and i have to lean the bike slightly.

So this mean that when i put my foot down my backside pulls the airhawk over to the side...and yes it is as tight as it will go. When i put my leg back up the airhawk doe not return so i have to stand up and have a fiddle to get it back int eh right place.

it's a problem with the design i feel. the cover stays put but stretches and the smooth inner air bladder is free to slide all over the place.

I will be sending it back and getting my 60 day money back guarentee.

I changed my undies....no good...tried gel padded cycling shorts...again no good and felt like i was wearing a nappy...not my thing.honestly.

So after chatting with Barcelona Pat on ABR i have ordered a sheepskin. I hope it works. If you don't know him do a google for him and read his site. He rode fomr the southern tip of america to Alaska alone on a tenere. He told me that after the first two days of riding he felt like somebody has beating the crap out of his backside....then he fitted the sheepskin.

I have now done 1000 miles on here and use her everyday for an hour commute each way to work.

It's 30 mins to the second that i feel numb or sore or not righ down below.

I have chanegd my riding position...feet on the pegs...toes on the pegs...learing forward..sittign forward...learning back..sitting back..

Nothing works.

I have tried my gore tex trousers....jeans...cotton trousers....everything.

The seat as too little padding at the front for me...not enough on the sides as i seem to be sitting on the plastic seat base in the sides....this really hurts.

I did think about chanign the bike but i like everything else about it and now i've spent the money i want to get something from it.

I will keep you updated.

Mike